Hikkaduwa is a coastal town on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, about 100 km from Colombo. Hikkaduwa Beach has been a popular tourist destination since the 1970s and has long been one of the most popular beaches in the world.
One of the reasons for its popularity was the large coral reef, which was rich in colourful marine life, making it an ideal place for divers. Today, due to uncontrolled human activity, the reefs have been reduced to a tiny crater, with the final blow of El Niෝo in late 1998, killing most of the living corals.
In 1961, Hikkaduwa 110 acres of terrestrial water beyond was protected by under the Fisheries Danger Act. Hikkaduwa Maritime Sanctuary gazetted in 1979 under the Animal and Plant Protection Act. In 1998, it was upgraded to a nature reserve and later to a national park. Hikkaduwa National Park is one of the only two Marine National Parks in Sri Lanka. The only other marine national park is Pigeon Island, the easternmost coast of Sri Lanka.
The coastal area of Hikkaduwa has developed as a tourist destination as compared to other beach destinations other than Negombo.
A wide range of budget-friendly hotels has located along the coast, with select food stalls along the coast and along the main road.
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